Ashhar Alam/New Delhi

Filmmaker Kevin Williamson has revealed that he does not plan to write or direct a potential eighth installment of the iconic Scream franchise, hinting that the long-running horror series may soon pass into new creative hands.

Williamson, who returned to the franchise for Scream 7 as both co-writer and director, told The Hollywood Reporter that he plans to step back from a leadership role if the series continues.

"Not Scream, no," Williamson said when asked whether directing the seventh film inspired him to continue at the helm. "I want to direct another project I wrote, which is just waiting for me. Right now, I’m focused on a couple of TV shows I’m really excited about."

While he may direct television in the near future, Williamson expects his involvement in any future Scream films to be more supportive than central. "For the next Scream, I’ll probably step back and just be part of the family again," he noted.

Williamson first wrote the screenplay for Wes Craven’s 1996 Scream, which became a landmark horror film and launched one of modern cinema’s most successful slasher franchises. Over the years, the series has retained a loyal fan base.

Discussing the franchise’s future, Williamson expressed excitement about seeing new storytellers shape the next chapter. "I have some ideas for where it could go, but I’m eager to see what another storyteller could do with it. It’s nice to be part of the Scream family, but I don’t always need to be front and center."

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Despite the continued popularity of the series, no official confirmation has been made about an eighth film. "I’m hopeful there will be an 8," he said. "No one’s really talking about it yet, but with the box office, we just hope there will be one."

Scream 7, starring Neve Campbell, Isabel May, and Anna Camp, follows Sidney Prescott as she grapples with a new Ghostface killer threatening her daughter. The screenplay was co-written by Williamson and Guy Busick, from a story by Busick and James Vanderbilt.